Filters

Please use this page to write a short summary of your article, and a link to your article. You may want to write it out first, so in the rare event that two people are on this page at the exact same time, you do not lose any information. Please, do not get fancy with fonts or anything. Just leave these three items:

1.**Schools and Online Social Networking**: This article discusses the phenomenon of “online social networking” and what educators should be aware of when dealing with middle and high school students and how to keep them safe. Nancy Willard, the author, feels that there are pros and cons to social networking. The pros are that these sites allow teens the opportunity to develop friendships with other suitable teens while they build skills in the use of technology that will be vital to future career success in the 21st Century. The cons, however, are numerous and include “unsafe disclosure of personal information,” “addiction,” “risky sexual behavior,” “cyberbullying,” and access to “dangerous communities.” In light of these dangers, Willard feels that schools should be on guard to minimize exposure to such sights and the social networking sites should “probably not” be accessed by students while they are at school. She further advises schools to “limit all non-educational, entertainment use of the internet – including social networking activities – through the district Internet system.” Willard advocates for a strong internet usage policy, student education of online safety and responsible use, effective technical monitoring, and appropriate consequences for violations of the policy. Schools and parents must be proactive in their dealing with children and the internet. 2. [] 3. David O. White

1. "__**Schools make networks safer for students"**__ A short article regarding the upgrade of internet filters in Socorro's school district. The upgrade allows students and teachers to access more information at a quicker rate. The new technology also allows schools to access audio and video which the old system blocked out completely. By updating the program, the school district is hoping to put more technology in the hands of the teachers and students

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3. Jesse Blackburn

1. "**__Filtering Software: The Educators Speak Out"__** This article, from Education World, spoke specifically to the Childrens Internet Protections Act (1999) which requires schools who qualify for E-rate to block students from access to materials that are "obscene, child pronography, or harmful to minors". It also speaks about the Kaiser Family Foundation's study which states that "Internet filters most frequently used by schools and libraries can effectively block pronography without significantly impeding access to online health information - but only if they aren't set at their most restrictive levels." The article then noted the thoughts of critics and of proponents. It then solicited the comments from te Education World Tech Team, many of whom spoke to the responsibility of schools to protect children and the legal ramifications of ignoring this responsibility. Most of the respondants felt that even if they personally were opposed to filters, there must be some level of filtering for children in schools as protection for both the children and the school system. (Unlike my other "summary", I will follow Jesse's lead and keep this one brief.)

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3. Sue D. Keffer

1. __"Schools install Internet filters to receive federal money"__ This article talks schools being required to use internet filters in order to receive certain technology grants. Some schools and students have found ways to bypass the filter system. The article states that more is need to keep students safe then just a filter. The article has pro’s and cons about internet filter use, but in the end agrees that the filters are necessary evil. 2. []

3. Hkwau'a'Que'Jol Hollins

1. **__“Why you need an internet filter”__** This article discusses the advantages of internet filtration in rooting out unwanted content deemed inappropriate. Filters also give some protection against internet predators. The article warns that one should not be over confident with the filters to screen all inappropriate sites and predators.

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3. Hkwau'a'Que'Jol Hollins

__**Internet Filters Can Successfully Block Most Pornography While Allowing Health Information, Depending on How Schools and Libraries Configure Them**__ This news release was published by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2002. It endorses the use of internet filters, but cautions that the blocking of health content increases sharply when filters are set at high levels with only a minimal increase in blocked pornographic content. "Filters can strike a good balance between protecting kids from pornography while still giving them access to online health information, But only if they are configured carefully. Otherwise they can be a serious obstacle, especially on issues of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and birth control." Most filters do allow schools and libraries to tailor blocking by setting different configurations. The study tested different topics with filters at the "least", "intermediate" and "most" restrictive settings. This article stresses the importance of health site information, particularly with 15-17 year olds.

2.http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/See-No-Evil-How-Internet-Filters-Affect-the-Search-for-Online-Health-Information-News-Release.pdf

Nanci Scharf

1. TEN TIPS FOR INTERNET SAFTEY //By Sheila Riley// This article is in favor of Internet filtering. I was impressed with the overall approach because it seeks to protect and educate students on Internet safety, while providing opportunities to utilize web 2.0 tools. Suggestions are made to build community awareness through outreach programs, incorporate acceptable use agreements, develop “walled gardens” for students to use the Internet’s wealth safely, and activate an alarm if access is breached. This article was particularly appealing to me since it involved a more comprehensive approach rather than simply blocking websites.

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3. Chad Armstrong

1. School Filters vs. Home Proxies Students have figured out how to use proxies to get around the filters on school computers. One student was caught handing out business cards to other students with proxy addresses and instructions. Many instructional technology teachers are having a hard time keeping up with the proxies because so many new ones are constantly popping up.

2. http://news.cnet.com/School-filters-vs.-home-proxies/2009-1041_3-6067716.html

3. Krissy Cutter

Jaclyn Scott 1.Schools Get Tool to Track Internet Use [] A New York Times Article about Esniff, and internet filtering tool. This software allows the school system to track internet use by student using key words instead of blocking all possibly inappropriate materials. If a student needs to write a paper on safe sex practices, they are able to access websites that would usually be blocked. Esniff can search through e-mails for inappropriate content and sort the content by subject. It can also break down what students are breaking the internet rules, how many offenses, and by the types of materials they are viewing. Esniff is a much more effective tool than blocking because it keeps the responsibility in the hands of the students. Those who can use the internet safely and wisely are freely allowed to do so. Filtering, blocking, or limited access is only used when students break the rules.

2.Internet Filters Block Many Useful Sites, Study Finds [] This New York Times article states that a little bit of blocking is ok, but more isn't necessarily better. It found that schools usually use the highest blocking settings available on their programs, but these settings restrict valuable health information. One program, set on the lowest setting, blocks about 1.5%of health related sites and 25% more on the highest setting. While the same program blocks 87% of pornography on the lowest setting and only 3% more on the highest setting. Schools need to know exactly what they are blocking their students from. By setting their blocking software at the highest setting they are restricting access to valuable information, but only protecting their students from inappropriate information by 3%.

The governor was using a public library as a backdrop to sign his 2005 bill that would place a $1000 fine on any retailer that sold adult video games or movies. A group called the Concerned Women for America interrupted the PR event with picket signs complaining that kids could see the same content for free on the library computers because the porn sites were not restricted. The fact that libraries were providing “taxpayer-funded access” to inappropriate sites for children made it very problematic for the governor. He decided to join forces with the CWA and proposed legislation requiring filters in all public libraries in Illinois. A spokeswoman for the CWA explained the need for this legislation in the following quote: “Parents can’t be everywhere their kids are. Adults in the community need to take responsibility for what they expose kids to.” 2. [|www.safelibraries.org/governor_supports_filters] 3. Lisa Thompson
 * __1.Governor Pledges Support for Internet Filters__**: This article actually deals with placing filters on computers in public libraries. I almost scrolled past it until I realized who the champion of computer filtering was. Do you remember Governor Rod Blagojevich who was impeached for trying to sell Pres. Obama’s vacated senate seat? It’s a shame that he didn’t think of placing filters on his (expletive) home phone instead.

1. "**Support Grows for Internet Filters in Schools"** by John Schwartz, was interesting to read to put filters in perspective. It is an older article which talks about the 2000 proposal of congressional manditory filters in schools. I was surprised to read that both George W. Bush and Al Gore were in agreement in putting forth an initiative in legislature to filter school technology. Two interesting points were raised in the article. The first being "we do not believe the federal government should mandidate a particular type of technology, being that technology is evolving so quickly", which was stated by the White House staffers. Secondly, the director of the ALA (American Library Association) stated "a filter is a machine...it is not a human being with sensabilities and judgement". Librarians worried that the filters would limit access to information. This article was the background of the Children's Internet Protection Act which was talked about in my second article...

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1. **__"Why You Need An Internet Filter":__** This article talked about the advantages of using filters at schools, in businesses and at home. Of course, the main reason was to protect students from content too mature for them and to protect them from on-line predators. Businesses and schools can also filter sites not related to work. Employees (teachers) and students can waste alot of time not related to school. Of course, many useful sites can be filtered out also. The writer quotes "the Internet is not the safe place one would want it to be. Internet filters make the online landscape safer and more useful for everyone." 2. []

3. Dinah Robinson

1. Survey supports school filters Although this article is dated, I felt it was worth reviewing. A survey was conducted in 2000 that overwhelmingly supported filters on computers in schools. 1,900 people were surveyed and 79 % said filters should be used to bar hate speech. 92% said they should be used to block porn. It also revealed that teachers and students should be given different access. One reason is that, “inappropriate materials make it difficult to adopt the internet in schools.” The people surveyed thought of these filters as protection not censorship. There was broad support across income, race and educational groups for requiring filters on school computers. They are banning something that is already illegal. The filters just keep the students on task. One interesting note is that the article did mention that people who are using the internet are advocates for expanding access instead of filtering it. Looking back to this article, I find it interesting that now with most schools using the internet and most schools filtering students, the majority of the articles seem to be on lightening the filters because it keeps students from using all the resources available to them.

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3. Heidi Miller

1.Filters Don’t censor-They Protect Our Kids

This article was written by Donna Rice Hughes, and she is supporting the use of filters in schools and libraries. She does not believe that this is violation of one’s constitutional rights. In her article, she supports using filters to protect our children from material that is viewed obscene and profane. According to Ms. Hughes, school libraries do not have X-rated videos for students to view, and there are no Playboy magazines for students to check out. If this is the case, why do we not need filters to serve as a screen for obscene materials? Our students are only a mouse-click away from pornographic materials.

The Children’s Internet Protection Act calls for funds to pay for software to protect what students can view on computers. Critics of the CIPA believe that this is very much like censorship. The American Civil Liberties Union believes that these filter issues should be addressed by individual schools and libraries.

In closing, Ms. Hughes says that our primary responsibility is to educate and protect our children. Internet filters v. censorship presents an important dilemma. Ms. Hughes believes that censorship is not an issue. The goal is to protect our children from the “evils” of cyberspace, and internet filters will serve that purpose. She believes that internet filters are needed to serve as a “buffer” between our children and any questionable website. 2.http://www.protectkids.com/donnaricehughes/article_filtersdontcensor.htm

3. Pamela Diggs

1. "**__Technology in the Schools: Legal Implications for Students"__** This article was prepared by attorneys for use in "School Law." The article discussed the legal necessity to montior student Internet activity. The conclusion reads as follows : "Computer networks open new forums for research and learning, and expand the repertoire of instructional tools for teachers, but computer networks in the hands of students also pose risks. To a great extent, school districts need to control what information students have access to and, more importantly, who has access to student information. "

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3. Stephanie Teri

_ 1."**__What Is Your School’s Internet Policy?"__** This article recognies the relationship of the parent with the school when considering necessary steps to insure internet safety with students at school and at home. Eight key questions are suggested for families to discuss with teachers and school administrators to determine the use of internet filters in the schools and the protection of students against inappropriate use. It states "While content filters aren’t fail-safe, they can be a useful first line of defense against objectionable material and inappropriate sites." Therefore, the article provides the two-way communication to insure educational use of the internet. 2. []

3. Sandy Gillenwater

1. ACLU Sues in Tennessee Over School Internet Filters This article reports on a recent litigation (May 2009) brought by the ACLU. The key statement from them is "Allowing access to Web sites that present one side of an issue while blocking sites that present the other side is illegal viewpoint discrimination." The issue is that the school's filter allows some material, but blocked a student who was looking for a gay scholarship. "This discriminatory censorship does nothing to make students safe from material that may actually be harmful, but only hurts them by making it impossible to access important educational material" said lead attorney Catherine Crump of the ACLU First Amendment Working Group. By having a stricter filter, a school division can avoid litigation and the cost that comes from the legal process. 2. [] 3. David Bridi

1. "Buy and Internet Filter to Make Browsing Safe for Kids" This article gives an overview of why parents should filter the content of the internet for their children. Also, it describes the features they should look for before making a purchase. "Today's kids are exposed to all kinds of content on the Internet. Besides pornography, did you know that terrorist organizations use the Internet as their primary resource to target people and influence the minds of the youth? Other than this, loads of information on alcohol, drugs, violence, weapons and racism can be acquired from the Internet. These websites may not even be visited intentionally, as sometimes these websites just pop up." So get your filter today! 2. [] 3. Marsha Caudill